AFA Remember D-Day, June 6, 1944

On this day, 67 years ago, 160,000 Allied forces stormed the beaches of Nazi-controlled Normandy, France. Facing severe hostile fire, the heroic troops were supported by 7,000 ships and water craft, while Allied pilots flew 15,000 air sorties on D-Day.

The Air Force Association (AFA) remembers and salutes the heroism and valor of the American and Allied forces that fought for freedom on this day resulting in largest amphibious invasion in world history. We did not accept anything less than victory.

Over the next year following D-Day, 3 million Allied troops would serve in the final clash with Nazi Germany, and the Allied air forces would lose more than 4,100 aircraft in a matter of weeks in Europe. Scholars estimate 22 million people lost their lives worldwide during World War II. More than 292,000 Americans died in all theaters of the war, part of over a million total U.S. casualties.

Today, we honor the anniversary of an extraordinary occasion of bravery and we salute the many troops who embarked on this monumental military undertaking.